Classic Looks Combined With Modern Technology

Don't be fooled by its traditional exterior -- the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III is a technological powerhouse that combines the classic vibe of a Les Paul with an array of gadgets and features. Now in its third generation, the Epiphone Ultra series represents the guitar maker's efforts to bring the latest in modern guitar technology to an iconic instrument with expanded tonal options and intuitive controls. From the cutting-edge pickup configuration to the USB output and much more, the Ultra III is an excellent choice for a discerning player ready to put the latest in guitar technology to work.

Learn more with this zZounds-exclusive video:

Not Your Grandpa's Les Paul

Wielding traditional Probucker double-coils at the bridge and neck and a Shadow Nanomag pickup system at the edge of the fretboard, the Ultra III gives you a palette of tonal options unlike any other Les Paul. The Nanomag is designed to capture all the nuance of the instrument with acoustic-like tones to complement the rock-worthy edge of the Probuckers. Put these to use with multiple outputting options and a three-way selector button to scroll between the different configurations. Rounding it out, Epiphone has included a control panel for the Nanomag, a chromatic tuner built into the bridge pickup ring, and a USB output to connect to the downloadable Guitar Rig LE software (free with registration!) With so many features packed into the Les Paul Ultra III, you'll be shocked that the price has remained so low.

With more gadgets and gizmos than a regular Les Paul (or the Starship Enterprise), the Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III delivers the latest in guitar technology with all the swagger of a classic Les Paul. Comfortably priced and endlessly engaging, this is a guitar for the player that needs limitless options in crafting their perfect tone.

Bryan Aspey demonstrates the Les Paul Ultra III's innovative features and tones in this video from Epiphone:

Epiphone Les Paul Ultra III Guitar

Deep down, most guitarists are traditional. They love classic designs and shapes dating back 50 years ago. Well, Epiphone knows the way you feel. That's why they designed the Les Paul Ultra-III with the same look and features of a traditional Les Paul but fresh approach, giving you a guitar that's a real Les Paul but also so much more.

Two Great Pickup Systems in One Guitar

At the heart of the Ultra-III are two pickup systems. Powering the first are Epiphone's ProBucker(TM) humbucking pickups, patterned after Gibson's famous BurstBuckers(TM). With authentic 18% nickel silver base and cover, Elektrisola wire, accurate bobbin, slugs and screws and sand casted Alnico-II magnets, they replicate that classic "Patent Applied For" airy tone that defined rock and roll. The second system features Shadow(TM) Germany's patented NanoMag(TM) pickup embedded discreetly at the end of the fingerboard. Featuring three samarium cobalt magnets, an air coil and active electronics, this low-impedance pickup captures your Ultra-III's subtle body acoustics and string harmonics. Together, you get powerful humbucker-driven rock crunch as well as shimmering acoustic-like tones -- and everything in between.

One-Of-A-Kind Electronics Built In

If you thought the Ultra-II was jam-packed with modern features, you won't believe what Epiphone has designed into the Ultra-III. Built discreetly into the bridge pickup mounting ring is a fully functional chromatic tuner. Push its ON/OFF button and sound is immediately muted and the tuner activated. Eleven color-coded LEDs identify the note as well as whether it's sharp, flat or in tune. Also, to allow quick and seamless changes between each pickup system, the Ultra-III's NanoMag Volume knob doubles as an A/B switch. Just push it in and quickly toggle between Magnetic, NanoMag or both pickup systems -- with no delay and no "pop." Two additional LEDs on the pickup mounting ring provide a visual indicator of which pickup system is active: Red is NanoMag; Blue is Magnetic, and Red/Blue is both.

USB Directly to Your Computer

The Ultra-III features three different outputs. By using the standard 1/4" MONO output, both the Humbuckers and NanoMag are mixed into one signal. When you plug another 1/4" cable into its STEREO output, the Humbuckers are routed through one cable and the NanoMag the other. In this way, you can send the Humbuckers to your favorite guitar amp and the NanoMag to the PA or an acoustic guitar amp. Using the A/B switch, you can now change on-the-fly between the two outputs. The third output is USB. Using the included USB cable, you can plug directly into your computer and use guitar applications such as the included Native Instruments GuitarRig 4 LE software to play your guitar through a variety of simulated amplifiers and effects, while listening through your computer speakers or headphones. GuitarRig also features a recorder, a metronome, a tuner and more.

Great Tonewoods and Hardware

While the Ultra-III is packed with technology, it still maintains the same basic specifications that's made Epiphone Les Pauls the choice of so many guitarists, including a solid mahogany body with glued-in mahogany neck and comfortable SlimTaper neck profile, a flame maple veneer top and Rosewood fingerboard. The result is a guitar with that classic Les Paul tone and sustain. Like most Epiphones, it's also equipped with Epi's patent-applied-for LockTone(TM) locking tune-o-matic bridge and stopbar tailpiece for increased sustain and string changing ease as well as quality Grover(tm) 16:1 machine heads for tuning accuracy and stability.

Limited Lifetime Warranty

Like every Epiphone, the Ultra-III features their Limited Lifetime warranty backed by world famous 24/7/365 day Gibson Customer Service. If you want a versatile professional instrument designed for live performance or studio and capable of both Les Paul crunch and real acoustic-like tones, the Epiphone Ultra-III is an excellent choice.

zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Great guitar!!! "

Overall:
I have 7 guitars and out the 7 this is my 2nd favorite one ( the Taylor Acoustic being number 1 ). I was originally going to buy me a Gibson Les Paul but then stumbled across this and instantly fell in love with it. Watch both tutorial videos they have on here on the guitar. The addition of the 3rd pickup, The Nanomag, is pretty stinking sweet along with USB compatibility. I have never seen a guitar that can do what this one does, and I've been to tons of guitars stores both in person and online stores. Of course like most all Les Pauls this has great tone and the neck feels great. The Midnight Ebony finish looks great, I usually go for the sunburst look on a les paul but this finish was worth getting.
This is my 3rd time buying from zZounds.com and it has been great each time. I highly recommend this site. So far I bought my Marshall Tube Amp head, Fender Srat and now the Les Paul. The payment plans they have works great. I really like that they added an 8 payments plan cause now I'm able to own this Les Paul.

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zZounds has verified that this customer bought this product from us.
"Tried all the LP's from Epi & Gibson - LOVE this one!"

Overall:
I spent 2 days in another store trying out all the Les Paul's from Epiphone and Gibson. This one felt as good as the $2600 Gibson with the great feeling neck binding and 60's neck profile and has the beautiful sounding Shadow Nanomag (tm). It did have just a touch of fret buzz (work around by picking CLOSE to the bridge or low on the neck) which reviews all over the web mention. My second and 3rd choices were Gibson LP Studio Faded and the Epi Les Paul Standard Plus Top Pro. Yeah...kind of a wide price range, but all under $1000. Long story short... I chose the Blemished Ultra 3 in Vintage Sunburst from zZounds. Although I didn't get the payment plan, it was a huge savings! When it came in I looked all over for the blemishes. After nearly an hour of looking WITH A MAGNIFYING GLASS, I found a tiny nick in the paint on the rear near the neck. I could barely even feel it with my fingers! So then I tried it out. A tiny bit out of tune... no surprise. Good intonation. A tiny bit of fret buzz. All electrics worked as specified. Then WOW....This thing has some great sustain in all the pickup positions. I compared it to my Gibson SG. Eleven seconds longer sustain on the D string 9th fret... ELEVEN SECONDS! So I played for an hour or so then took it to my local shop to be set up. Half and hour later, no more fret buzz, great action, and a true pleasure to play...and only 50 bucks. I am now REALLY loving this guitar. I find time whenever I can to play/practice on it. I would recommend both this guitar and zZounds.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

A temporary customer reference number is assigned to each customer only while they are shopping on zZounds.com. If you call our customer service department for assistance, this number makes it easier for us to answer any questions you have about products, services or purchases.

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